The three butterflies I watched this morning sucked nectar in three different ways.
The first one rested on the flower and received its nectar. The second butterfly appeared to be hanging with most of its wings below the plane of the lantana flowers. The third one was upside down on the flower. All the three chose its own method for their nectar.
The butterflies have an enormous repertoire of position sense because of which they approach the flowers from a vantage site.
The differences are not a matter of concern as butterflies are meant to adapt, which they do.
The recent conflict between the Jacobite and Orthodox divisions of the Malankara Syrian Church in Kerala, which is becoming a spectacle of shame and disgrace, owing to the compulsive attachment both factions have to their traditions is alarming. One would be concessional if the conflict was on matters of faith. The Lord, whom both factions seek to follow revealed His loving and forgiving vocation, even when He was hanging on the Cross when a thief hanging beside Him turned to Him in repentance.
If that is the way of Jesus, how is that differences in traditions ought to separate them with such an intense resolve to fight each other!
Humans are endowed with an instinct of relational spirituality that is collective and corporate. Our humanity springs from foundational values of regard and space for others.
In this conflict between two factions of the Malankara Syrian Church, what seems to preoccupy the ecclesiastical order and the laity alike is about differences that divide them leading to insistence beyond tolerance and compromise.
Butterflies find nectar by occupying different positions on a flower. All of us find communion with God in the way we are used to. Why then be in rage towards those who practice rituals and traditions differently in their church life!
This ugly quarrelsome and acquisitive attitude by displacing followers of another church tradition is a disservice to the cause of Christian calling!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
No comments:
Post a Comment